Request & Approval Process | WorkLife

ISU WorkFlex Request and Approval Process

High-Level Request and Approval Process

Broadly, the WorkFlex program includes these options:

Flexible Start/Stop Times – working outside the standard work hours
Compressed Workweek – working fewer but longer days (e.g., working four 10-hour days)
Hybrid Work – working from home or other designated location up to 60% of the time (i.e., up to 3 days per week)
Reduced Hours – moving to part-time
Gradual Return to Work – gradually increasing hours following leave
Retirement Transition – gradually reducing hours toward retirement

Eligibility

The WorkFlex program was designed with input from focus groups of Professional and Scientific (P&S) employees, Faculty, Faculty Work-Life Advisory Committee members, Merit employees, and supervisors of all staff types. The program is for Professional and Scientific (P&S) and certain Merit employees only¹. Faculty are not eligible for this program given the existing and ongoing flexibility these positions already have.

Stepped Approach

One of the most important things to know about the launch of the WorkFlex program, as well as the ongoing approach, is that it will involve a stepped or phased implementation, featuring application and decision “windows” each semester. These month-long windows have a number of benefits for the rollout of the program.

Next WorkFlex Application Window

Key dates are outlined below for the current application window. Supervisors should refamiliarize themselves with the material prior to the employee application window opening.

The employee application window gives employees ample time to apply for the program and eliminates any sense of urgency that would come with a first-come, first-served approach. Similarly, the supervisor decision window gives supervisors time to consider all applications, make fair and reasoned decisions, and allow ample time for conversations with employees and HR Delivery, as well as collaborative discussions with their teams/units.

Date	Activity
March 6 - March 31	Employee application window.
April 3 - April 28	Supervisor decision window for requests received during employee application window. When possible, all decisions should be completed by April 28. Supervisor would document initial decision. Agreements must be completed before effective date.
May 1 - May 12	Supervisor works with staff to prepare for effective dates of approved arrangements.
Monday, May 15	First date for which WorkFlex arrangements can be effective for the fourth WorkFlex window.

Future WorkFlex Application Windows

Application windows are scheduled prior to the start of each new semester, as detailed in the following chart. Employees interested in continuing their approved WorkFlex schedules will need to renew their agreements annually with their supervisor, and the program will be open for new applicants before every semester. The next three windows are as follows:

Employee Application Window	Supervisor Decision Window	Schedule Effective Date
June 5 - June 30, 2023	July 3 - July 28, 2023	August 21, 2023

¹Police Officer I, II, III, Sergeant, and Community Outreach Specialist positions are excluded from this program.

Date

Activity

Employee Application Window

Supervisor Decision Window

Schedule Effective Date